Winter Garden Pond Cleaning Tips – Eight Simple Steps For A Happy, Healthy Pond

Although Aussie ponds generally aren’t prone to turning into skating rinks over Winter like many of their overseas counterparts, they do still need some specific care over the colder months if you want to come out the other end with happy fish and a healthy pond.

Throughout Autumn trees and plants near your pond will most likely have been dropping extra debris into your water. This means that not only does your pond have to deal with your standard bio-load (generated by fish, pond plants, run off, etc.) it must also try to remain balanced and fight off the extra deposit of falling leaves and other organic matter.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to perform a “full clean” at the start of Winter.

Not only will this help reduce the chances of Autumn debris creating a lasting imbalance in your pond water, but it is also the best time of year to get the jump on algae, aquatic weed and other nasties. This is because they find it significantly harder to survive in lower temperatures than our standard warm climate.

By following the below steps, you’ll be able to ensure your pond comes out the other side of Winter in the best condition possible.

Before You Start: Clean Away Any Surrounding Debris

There’s no point getting your pond into top shape if a ton of organic matter and other debris is just going to end up back in it the next time it rains or a strong wind blows.

Start by removing any fallen leaves and other plant matter from the surrounding areas to prevent them from ending up in your pond. Those with a compost heap can simply dump organic waste in it but if you don’t have one (and don’t want to start one) your local council will be able to advise as to the best way to dispose of anything that can’t go in your green waste bin.

Step One: Assess The Situation

Before you go cleaning, fixing, or changing anything, it is a good idea to take stock of the situation.

Is your water clean? Do your fish look happy and healthy? Is there any algae or weeds growing? Does the pond have a smell? Are all the plants that you intentionally have in your pond healthy? Do your pond pump and filter appear to be functioning properly? Is there anything you want to change or upgrade?

Asking these and similar questions before your start your Winter clean will help you assess whether your maintenance has been sufficient throughout Autumn, or if you need to step things up a bit moving forward. They can also help you work out which parts of your pond need a little extra attention during this seasonal clean.

Step Two: Check Over And Clean Out Your Filter

Your filter is the heart of your pond. It’s what gets rid of all the organic waste that would otherwise build up and be toxic to your fish and it keeps your water nice and clean. But that doesn’t mean you can just set and forget it.

How often you have to clean out your filter will depend on the type of filter you’re running and the specific conditions of your pond. But it is a good idea to give it a full check-up and clean out at the beginning of each season regardless of when the last time you cleaned it was.

If you have a Biosteps 10, or other filter that utilises Matala Filter Media Sheets, this process should be fairly easy. In fact, we have a handy, three step guide to caring for your biological filter that will walk you through the entire process.

If your pond filter uses a different type of filter media, check your user manual and clean it out according to manufacturer instructions.

Remember that no matter what type of filter media you have, you’ll want to avoid rinsing it in tap water as this kill your beneficial bacteria. We recommend rinsing your media with water that has been removed from the pond.

Step Three: Clean Your Pump And Perform Any Required Repairs

Pond pumps are not exempt to requiring maintenance.

Even those that are specifically designed to be low maintenance, still need a little love every now and again; This makes your seasonal clean the perfect time to check on your pump and accessories.

In most cases you’ll just need to clean any build up and debris off your pump, but if you notice any damage to the unit, it’s a good idea to replace the part or get your pump repaired. In cases where severe damage has occurred, it is recommended that you purchase a new pond pump to ensure safety and efficiency.

Now is also a good time to check any hose or piping for blockages.

Step Three Point Five: For Those With Pond Aeration

Now is also a good time to check on your pond aerator if you have one.

Compressor based systems require the application of a rebuild kit every year or two and although diffuser discs sold by Love my pond feature anti-clogging designs, not all brands do.

The start of the season is a good time to check that your compressor is still performing optimally (and work out what’s wrong if it isn’t). You’ll be able to gauge this by whether you are still getting the same amount of aeration (visual check) and by checking whether your compressor is making any odd noises or moving more than usual. If any symptoms are present, it is advisable that you apply a rebuild kit and a new set of magnets if your system uses them.

Other than this, checking on your aeration is simply a matter of clearing your diffusers of any debris and ensure that there are no leaks or blockages in your air hose.

Step Four: Tend To Your Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants, just like those in your normal garden, require attention and care if you want them to flourish. They also follow seasonal cycles so it is important to be across which of your plants are happiest at any given time of year.

Any plants that won’t make it through the Winter should be removed from your pond to avoid having them turn into nutrient rich algae food. If they are able to be kept alive inside, this can be done if you want to keep them, otherwise they can be placed in your compost or (in most councils) disposed of in your green waste bin.

All plants that will remain in your pond should be checked for disease or damage and pruned back so that they remain within their designated area.

Likewise, any new plants that you are wanting to add should be checked over before being placed in your pond and consideration should be given to your fish, other plants, and the growth rate of your new plants, when deciding where to place them.

Step Five: Vacuum Out Any Sludge Or Pond Scum

Now that you’ve dealt with your plants (and anything that’s going to fall to the bottom of your pond due to your cleaning is already down there), it’s time to vacuum out any sludge or pond scum that has accumulated down there over the previous season.

Not only is a pond vacuum the easiest way to get this kind of muck out (apart from getting us to do it for you), it also makes completing a water change easier and is the perfect way to get nutrient rich water and waste from your pond to any gardens that you want to fertilise.

Step Six: Dose With Biological Treatments

Now you’ve completed your general maintenance tasks, it’s a good idea to dose with some biological treatments to help ensure balance within your ecosystem.

This is particularly important if you’ve had to top up your pond after the last step as tap water is full of chemicals that don’t mix well with your fishy friends.

Nitrifying bacteria are particularly important in ponds, but you can also utilise a range of other biological treatments if you’re having any issues with your water quality.

Step Seven: Check On Your Fishy Friends

Don’t forget to check on your fishy friends throughout the season.

Just because they don’t need as much food during the colder weather, doesn’t mean that you can forget about your fish for the next three months.

You should regularly check in and make sure that your fish are not showing signs of disease. Additionally, although they will be less active in colder weather, they should not be entirely lethargic. Any fish exhibiting signs of distress or disease should be placed in a quarantine tank and nursed back to health before being released back into your pond.

Step Eight: Add Some Floating Friends (Optional Extra)

It could also be a good idea to add some lilies or other floating plants to your pond.

These will help protect your fish from predators that may otherwise be able to gain access to them due to reduced coverage from other plants. They can also help add some visual appeal that may have been lost with the removal of submerged and emergent plants that wouldn’t have made it through Winter.

By following these steps, you’ll be able ensure your pond is in the best shape possible for both the Winter season and those that come after it.

Seasonal maintenance is key to a healthy pond and you don’t ever want to skip out on it. If you’re not able to get the work done, or simply don’t want to DIY, give us a call on 1300 005 670 or fill out a contact form. One of our friendly pond maintenance superstars will be happy to come out and assist.

You can also get in touch if you’d like advice regarding caring for your little ecosystem and/or any pond products. We have a ponderful team of experts in-house and they’re always happy to answer any questions you may have.